Hurry. It’s not too late, but it looks like Colorado is shutting her door on fall color early this year.
If you’re a fan of the yellow room and don’t mind a little chilly white with your flaming aspens, there’s still some good pedaling to be done in our fine state. A little snow doesn’t mean it’s over.
Here are four of the state’s most colorful singletracks that should be included in any fall tour.
Monarch Crest
Challenging trail with thrilling descents.
There’s a good reason Monarch Crest consistently ranks among the state’s most epic rides. Bicycling Magazine recently trumpeted the trail as one of the nation’s top five.
As with most epics, it’s not an easy trail to ride or navigate. It requires deep lungs, strong quads, a well-stocked pack and an early start. The trail likely got doused heavily in last weekend’s snowstorm, but previous dustings have left the higher portions of the nearly 28 miles of singletrack nice and tacky, perfect for super-speedy descents through blazing aspens. And descending is the jewel in the Monarch Crest’s crown.
From Monarch Pass – you really do want to take a shuttle – it’s a mere 1,000 feet of climbing and almost 4,000 feet of forearm-cramping downhill. The first 12 miles to Marshall Pass follow the Continental Divide Trail and are somewhat technical, but they are exposed with what are likely some of Colorado’s best views from the saddle of a bike. Leave the Monarch Tram parking lot early to miss the afternoon thunderstorm.
Decisions must be made atop Marshall Pass, with options ranging from another 25-plus miles of singletrack to a speedy rip down to U.S. 285 and the rig at Poncha Springs.
Pack heavy for this ride: rain and cold-weather gear, lots of water and power food, bike repair tools, extra tubes and a map doesn’t hurt. First-time Cresters often fall prey to the myriad trail options that spin off the Monarch Crest, which turns a five-hour tour into a day-long grind. Check with the gang at Salida’s Absolute Bikes (330 W. Sackett on the river or www.absolutebikes.com) for the latest beta on trail conditions and help with the shuttle.
Kenosha Pass
Trail close to Front Range offers wide array of terrain.
Kenosha Pass is one of the best kept singletrack secrets in Colorado. Only an hour from Denver, the seemingly innocuous pass into South Park marries some of the state’s most spectacular colors with quality singletrack relatively unmarred by the pedaling Front Range masses.
The trail swings between super-tech rock to rooted ruts to high-speed butter, delivering the whole gamut of Colorado singletrack in one serving. Following the Colorado Trail, head west from the passtop parking lot off U.S. 285. Climb for a short mile before a sweet drop into South Park with the trail weaving in and out of fiery aspens.
Most riders turn around on 11,880-foot Georgia Pass and retrace their route back to Kenosha Pass, which makes for a pretty tough 26-mile day. But there are options beyond out-and-back.
Set up a shuttle rig in Breckenridge and descend the backside of Georgia Pass. The singletrack is smooth and technical on the descent, with a soul-breaking climb nearly 10 miles down. Bring extra water, lots of power treats and save something for this climb, which comes after nearly 23 miles of pedaling. But the next nine miles are money, with a sprinkling of climbs and lots of scenic downhill. The final paved spin into Breck up the Blue River pushes the ride close to 34 miles. Not for the meek.
Meadow Mountain
Steep and nontechnical, it’s all downhill on the way back.
Meadow Mountain between Vail and Avon provides fall colors late into the season. The 6-mile grind climbs 2,000 feet to an old shepherd’s cabin. It’s arduous but not technical at all.
Try it without stopping, but save plenty for the final half-mile to the cabin. There, ponder the fact that the Vail Valley’s super-tough riders bag that climb in less than 40 minutes. Even though it takes mortals more than an hour, take solace in the fact that it’s all downhill from there.
It’s classic Colorado cycling: nothing but uphill leading to pure downhill. The 6-mile descent is somewhat challenging with roots, rocks and mellow meadow cruising all the way down to Eagle Vail. Give yourself a couple hours, especially if you plan to visit with the Peruvian shepherd and his wary hounds up top.
Dyke Trail
Start near Crested Butte, a gateway to many trails.
Crested Butte’s famed Dyke Trail is another state gem. A lush aspen canopy coupled with fading yellow leaves on the trail creates the ultimate yellow room.
Ride behind someone to get the full-color dose, with yellow leaves fluttering in between the yellow sky and trail. It’s an 8-mile ride that lingers long after the final push.
Drive up Kebler Pass Road out of Crested Butte. Park at the fork about 11 miles up and pedal the right road toward Irwin Lake. Just beyond the lake’s campground, take the left fork to the Dyke trailhead.
Enjoy the singletrack shotgun start as it weaves through glowing forest and surprising creek crossings. Fair warning: The climb over the Dyke, a prominent rock rib that looks like it belongs in southern Utah, is not easy. The absolutely ripping downhill back to Kebler Pass is sure to make uphill suffering a fleeting memory.
Take it easy and check out some of the century-old aspen graffiti etched by some evidently unhappy miners. There’s a different kind of color in the carvings.
Along the descent is a turn-off for the Dark Canyon, a wilderness hike. Locals rave about this hike and its dark-forest views into the remote abyss.
Go left at the Dark Canyon trailhead down to Horse Ranch Park and Kebler Pass Road. Smart cyclists averse to dusty climbs on busy roads have parked a shuttle rig here, eliminating the unfun push back to the Irwin Lake fork.
Staff writer Jason Blevins can be reached at 303-954-1374 or jblevins@denverpost.com.
